Do you want to effortlessly count the number of characters in a given text string in Google Sheets? Look no further, because we have got you covered! In this article, we will explore the powerful LEN function, and you’ll soon be counting characters like a pro.
Understanding the LEN function in Google Sheets
The LEN formula simply counts the number of characters in a text string. It comes in handy when you need to determine the length of a cell’s content or check if it meets certain length requirements. With the LEN function, you can easily verify if a specific text meets your criteria.
How to use the LEN function in Google Sheets
Using the LEN function in Google Sheets is a breeze. Just follow these simple steps:
- Type “=LEN” or go to “Insertion” → “Fonction” (or directly access the “Fonctions” icon) → “Texte” → “LEN”.
- Enter a Unicode decimal value manually or refer to a cell.
- Press the “Enter” key.
The general syntax of the LEN formula is as follows:
Text: The text string that you want to count the number of characters in.
Please note that the LEN function counts all characters, including spaces. If you encounter unexpected results, make sure there are no special characters in the original text strings. Also, when manually entering text, remember to enclose it in quotation marks.
Take a look at the following examples in the screenshot. As you can see, using this formula is a piece of cake. Once you’ve entered the text or selected a cell containing a text string, the LEN function immediately returns the desired character count.
As mentioned earlier, you can use the LEN function to check if specific texts meet certain character count criteria. Let’s say you want to verify if each text string contains ten or more characters. You can use the IF function along with the LEN function by following these steps:
- Enter the text strings you want to check the character count for (displayed in column B).
- Count the number of characters in each text using the LEN function (displayed in column C).
- Check if the returned number for each text is ten or more using the IF function (displayed in column D).
In the top table, you have three columns (columns B to D) – “Text String,” “Result,” and “Test (Min: 10)” – which correspond to each step above. However, as shown in the bottom table, you can combine both formulas by incorporating the LEN function into the IF function.
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Now that you understand how to maximize the potential of the LEN function in Google Sheets, you can effortlessly count characters in your text strings and utilize them more effectively in your spreadsheets. Happy counting!
